William Saliba Avoids Surgery on Back Injury, Favors Conservative Treatment

William Saliba Avoids Surgery on Back Injury, Favors Conservative Treatment

William Saliba, the 25-year-old French centre-back, may have dodged a major surgery on his troublesome back injury, according to fresh reports. The Arsenal star went into the 2026 World Cup plagued by the issue, with fears raised that he could miss the entire tournament.

What Happened?

Saliba formed one half of Didier Deschamps's favoured central pairing alongside Dayot Upamecano, starting six games up to and including the semi-final loss to Spain. However, Saliba was forced off after just 30 minutes against La Roja, having sparked immediate concern by going down while in possession of the ball with no other players around him. The defender could apparently be heard saying "my back is gone" as he trudged off the field with medical staff, and Deschamps swiftly ruled him out of Saturday's third-place playoff against England.

Why it Matters for William Saliba

The injury is problematic, and Deschamps told the media at his pre-game press conference that Saliba's injury hadn't worsened. He's had tests done, and his injury hasn't worsened. He's managed it and gritted his teeth, but there comes a point where everything depends on the ability to endure the pain. On this occasion, the pain was at a level that was unbearable, unfortunately for him and for us.

What Comes Next?

According to L'Equipe, a long-term treatment protocol is currently the 'preferred option' for Saliba, although a final decision will be made with Arsenal at the beginning of next week. The report claims that Saliba could instead undergo a more conservative course of treatment, avoiding the need for surgery. This would be a significant relief for the French international, who has been plagued by the issue for months.

How Could Arsenal Replace Injured William Saliba?

Saliba has been plagued by a back injury before, memorably missing the final three months of the 2022-23 season as Arsenal's Premier League title challenge crumbled without him. Since then, the Frenchman has avoided any more serious injuries - only suffering a few minor ankle, hamstring and toe problems. If Saliba is not ready for the start of the new season, expect Cristhian Mosquera to start the season alongside Gabriel Magalhaes in central defence, presuming that Jurrien Timber has made a full recovery from a severe groin injury to reclaim his place at right-back.

Ben White, meanwhile, continues to rehabilitate from a serious knee injury, with no timeframe placed on the Englishman's return. The Gunners kick off their pre-season against Girona on August 1 before facing Real Betis (August 5), Borussia Dortmund (August 9) and Como (August 12), although Saliba's participation in all of those games was already in doubt due to France's deep run at the World Cup. Mikel Arteta's side then face Manchester City in the Community Shield on August 16, before beginning their Premier League title defence at home to newly-promoted Coventry City on August 21.

Arsenal's pre-season fixtures will be a crucial test for the team's depth and resilience, particularly in the absence of their star centre-back. With Saliba's injury status still uncertain, the Gunners will be hoping for a swift and successful recovery for the French international.